A dog owner’s attempt to socialize his puppy didn’t go quite as planned—but it melted hearts online.
Early socialization is key to a dog’s development, helping puppies adapt to new environments by exposing them to a variety of sights, sounds, people, and animals. Without it, dogs risk developing behavioral issues, according to previous reporting by Newsweek.
In an effort to socialize his black Labrador puppy Jimmy, TikTok user @jimmy_thelab brought the pup along to a hardware store. Riding calmly in a shopping cart, Jimmy was expected to take in his surroundings. But instead, he fixed his gaze solely on his owner, ignoring the bustling store and its distractions.
Captivated by the puppy’s unwavering attention and wide, adoring eyes, the owner paused mid-aisle to pet Jimmy, who eagerly leaned in for affection.
“He’s honestly so chill,” the owner told Newsweek via TikTok. “He has a look around at the start, but most of the time he just wants to be close to us. It’s so sweet it melts me.”
Jimmy has been taken to multiple locations for socialization—pet stores, a photo shoot, and even visits to Grandma. Still, no matter the place, his attention remains locked on his owner.
Footage from their June 10 TikTok outing shows the puppy gazing up from the cart, and the internet couldn’t resist. In just two days, the video earned over 500,000 views and 133,000 likes.
Viewers were quick to comment on the emotional bond between the two. “You’re his safe place. That’s why he’s looking at you,” one wrote. Another added, “He’s looking at his world.”
Others joked about how distracting Jimmy’s cuteness would be while shopping. “How did you get any shopping done?” asked one commenter. “I would’ve been crashing into things.” The owner replied that he was crashing into everything.